Vashon’s oldest nonprofit aquatic organization, Vashon Aquatic Club, was nominated last month for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s “Lifesaver Award” for its work to help prevent childhood drownings.

Kim O’Shea, program director for USA Swimming Foundation’s Make A Splash program, nominated the club for the award for its creativity and innovation in developing a drowning prevention program partnership on Vashon.

“Creating a (drowning prevention) program through our club was a natural fit, given its long standing in the community and our public-benefit designation,” said Gary Gray, founder of Make A Splash Vashon and former president of the aquatic club and Vashon Seals Swim Team. “We are really fortunate to live in a community where members of our board and organizations like the Vashon Park District recognize the importance of such programs and supported our effort in the early stages of development.”

The program’s original goal was to offer swim and water safety lessons at an affordable price to public and private school children of Vashon in the critical-age-group of third- and fourth-graders.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance will notify winners in January and recognize recipients at its Ninth Annual Symposium in Pittsburgh in April.